Vulnerability
Maintain moisture control in enclosed balcony spaces.
Balcony vents play a key role in maintaining structural integrity in multi-family complexes.
As California has seen an increase in balcony-related incidents and wildfire threats, new building codes (SB 721 and SB326) now require regular inspections and improved safety features for balconies, especially those with wood framing.
Used as a tool to help trapped humidity escape, balcony vents help prevent issues like wood rot, corrosion, and mold growth, which can compromise the structural integrity of balconies and lead to costly repairs or safety hazards.
Unfortunately, these air vents create a vulnerability to the building and its occupants – their defense against wildfires.
To solve this, the integration of an ember- and flame-resistant balcony vent will block embers, flames, and heat from entering a multi-family complex. In addition, having a removeable ember-resistant and fire-resistant vent will help avoid repair costs – caused by regular building inspections.
Features
Engineered for Protection. Built to Last.
BrandGuard’s removeable, self-closing balcony inspection vents have a unique and patented design featuring an overlapping baffle that directs airflow to help prevent rot and resist flame, ember, and radiant heat intrusion.
Overlapping Baffle Design
Anti-clogging overlapping baffles to trap embers and stop the spread of fire
Stainless Steel Hinged Design
Can easily be removed for regular inspection procedures – avoiding costly repairs
Self-Closing Intumescents
When exposed to extreme high temperatures, intumescent material rapidly expands – cutting off vent openings.
Crafted to Your Home
Can be spray painted to match the color of your home
Keep Out Pests
Keeps out rodents, driving rain and snow, fire, embers, and radiant heat
Triple Protection
Composed of three separate layers of wildfire protection – 1/16″ mesh, intumescents, and overlapping baffle design.
Our products are tested & approved
- CAL FIRE listing BML # 8165-2232:0502, BML # 8165-2232:0501
- WUI Compliant
- ASTM E119 1 Hour Fire Rated
- Compliant with California SB721 & SB326
Technical Resources
Looking for the Technical Info? We’ve Got You.
Everything from CAD/Revit files to installation guides lives in the Technical Hub. It’s all organized and downloadable, so you can get what you need, fast.
More information
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know.
How do BrandGuard Vents work?
Home hardening is a critical factor to improve the survivability of structures during wildfires. All homes have vulnerable “point of entry” that must be sealed to avoid hot embers and fire from entering the structure. Home ventilation is essential from an energy saving point of view, however in case of a fire nearby, there is a risk of hot embers finding their way into your attic, basement, garage, etc. BrandGuard has patented a unique system to keep embers from entering your house. Our design consists of multiple line of defense:
- A baffle design which allows air to move freely, but traps embers
- BrandGuard propriety intumescent material, which expand only if high heat and extreme flames are reaching the vents
- Non combustible, metal vents which resist heat and flames
How are BrandGuard Vents different than standard vents?
BrandGuard Vents resists the intrusion of flame and embers into your attic through the building’s vents, thus protecting your home from dangerous flying embers created by wildfires.
Why are baffles better for protection?
Baffles have long been used in commercial kitchens as a way to prevent stovetop fires. We have redesigned them to help keep flames, dangerous burning embers, and radiant heat out of your home during a wildfire. Baffles provide immediate protection during a wildfire from the very first second of exposure.
Another reason baffles are better is because they provide protection from driving rain, snow, and rodents. Our vents have passed stringent driving rain tests in Hurricane labs in Florida keep heavy driving rain out at even 140mph! Rodents are unable to chew or squeeze through our vents like they do with regular mesh vents, making them an excellent option for pest control!
What is an intumescent material?
BrandGuard Vents are equipped with a propriety material (intumescent) which expands in case of fire. The thermally activated strip expands up to 30 times its original thickness, sealing off the vent completely. This is an extreme measure to make sure that fire doesn’t penetrate the home.
Are custom vents/products available?
Yes, BrandGuard Vents will work with you and your needs to create a custom fire prevention vent for your project.
Still have questions?
Talk to our experts for no-obligation advice and support.
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